Professor Paul D Baxter

Profile

I joined the University of Leeds as a Lecturer in Statistics (in the School of Mathematics) in 2003 directly after completing my PhD at the University of Essex.

In 2009 I moved to LICAMM in the School of Medicine as a Senior Research Fellow in Biostatistics. After a period of three years focused on statistical methods for applied health research, I was promoted to Associate Professor in Biostatistics. From 2011-2017 I was Programme Leader for the MSc Epidemiology & Biostatistics (laterly MSc Health Data Analytics).  

From 2012-2015 I was Deputy LICAMM Lead for Student Education and subsequently, LICAMM Lead for Student Education. From 2015-2018 I was the School of Medicine Director of Classified Undergraduate Studies and a member of the Faculty of Medicine & Health Taught Student Education Committee. From 2015 I have Co-chaired the School of Medicine Undergraduate Special Circumstances Committee.

From 2018-2021 I was Head of Department of the newly formed Department of Specialist Science Education in LICAMM (comprising some 25 academic staff with a focus on excellence in Student Education).

In 2020 I was promoted to Professor of Biostatistics & Education.

In 2021 I was appointed to the role of Director of Education & Training, Leeds Institute for Data Analytics.

In 2022 I was appointed Chair of the School of Medicine MBChB Assessment Boards.

Outside of Leeds, I have had a longstanding involvement with my professional body and learned society, the Royal Statistical Society (RSS), attaining my professional status as Chartered Statistician in 2010. I was appointed the RSS Guy Lecturer for Schools in 2011/12, led and delivered a national CPD course in statistical modelling using R approximately biannually for the RSS 2010-2018. I was elected to the RSS Professional Affairs Committee (PAC) from 2015-2018. The latter two years I have served as chair of PAC and RSS Vice-President for Professional Affairs, leading a major revision of accreditation standards for degrees in statistics. I am currently (2022-) lead assessor for RSS degree accreditations.

Responsibilities

• Director of Education & Training, Leeds Institute for Data Analytics
• Co-chair, School of Medicine Undergraduate Special Circumstances Committee
• Chair, School of Medicine MBChB Assessment Boards

Research interests

My scholarship involves the integration of my experience in programme development, my domain expertise in statistical analysis and my leadership roles in Student Education. In particular, I am interested in: (i) statistical analysis and robust evaluation of scholarship in student education; (ii) the triangulation and analysis of student survey data; (ii) the development of CPD programmes and online education and (iv) internationalisation and innovative approaches to expansion of professionally regulated degree programmes.  

Qualifications

• PhD
• BSc
• PGCLTHE

Professional memberships

• Chartered Statistician (CStat), Royal Statistical Society
• Senior Fellowship of the Higher Education Academy (SFHEA)

Student education

During my time at Leeds I have led modules at all level from 0-5M in statistical methods and applications. At postgraduate level, I teach professional skills training and supervise research projects. I also tutor statistical methods to PhD students as part of LICAMM’s academy programmes. At undergraduate level I tutor and lecture on quantitative research methods for medical students and allied health professionals. Nationally, I have delivered CPD training in statistical modelling using R software to a broad range of researchers and analysts in the public and private sectors.

Research groups and institutes

• Leeds Institute of Cardiovascular and Metabolic Medicine
• Specialist Science Education

Current postgraduate researchers

• Laurie Berrie

Projects

<li><a href="//phd.leeds.ac.uk/project/149-licamm-severe-to-profound-hearing-loss-and-sleep-quality.">LICAMM Severe to profound hearing loss and sleep quality.</a></li>